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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and drive the strategic direction of luxury travel operations in the UK & Ireland.
- Company: Join Explora Journeys, a pioneering luxury travel brand redefining ocean travel experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in luxury travel, making a real impact on the industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in luxury travel or hospitality, strong leadership, and excellent networking skills required.
- Other info: Located in Woking, this role offers a chance to shape the future of luxury travel.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Where passion meets opportunity
Discover your journey into the extraordinary.
Your Purpose
Our newly established luxury travel brand, Explora Journeys, is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to oversee and drive the overall strategic direction and growth of our UK & Ireland operations. This key leadership role involves managing the commercial team, identifying and unlocking new business development opportunities and ensuring operational excellence across all functions.
Under the direction of the Global Head of Commercial Strategy & Sales Operations, the Executive Director UK & Ireland will be responsible for setting long-term goals, developing business strategies, and positioning Explora Journeys as the most desired brand in the luxury travel industry.
The position is located at our office in Woking.
Your Impact
- Leads and executes the overarching go-to-market strategy for the UK, focusing on optimizing trade partner relationships and driving sustainable business development in the B2C channel.
- Identifies and establishes high-value strategic partnerships aligned with our brand\’s positioning, aimed at expanding brand awareness, driving direct sales and enhancing market presence.
- Fosters and nurtures long-term business relationships to elevate brand visibility and desirability, underpinned by a comprehensive and targeted communication strategy.
- Collaborates closely with key stakeholders across the MSC Group to leverage distribution networks, marketing platforms, and cross-functional synergies, ensuring consistent brand messaging and alignment with company policies and pricing integrity.
- Drives data-informed decision-making by conducting strategic business analysis, using key performance indicators to support revenue growth and successfully meet both gross and net revenue targets.
- Champions group, incentive and charter business development across the UK & Ireland market, positioning Explora Journeys as the leading luxury brand in this segment.
- Oversees and optimizes the budget management and forecasting processes, applying a deep understanding of channel mix dynamics and acquisition cost efficiency to maximize profitability.
- Leads, mentors, and empowers the commercial team in UK & Ireland, fostering a culture of excellence and high performance while driving alignment with the overall strategic goals of Explora Journeys.
- Collaborates with headquarters in Switzerland on strategic initiatives, business reviews, and long-term growth plans to ensure seamless execution and alignment with corporate objectives.
Your Journey so far
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role in the luxury cruise, travel, or hospitality industries.
- Excellent sales network or well-known contact base and good knowledge of partners/major customers in the travel industry in UK & Ireland.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop talent.
- Excellent presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint.
Your Essentials
The existing right to live and work in the UK is required.
At Explora Journeys, we are redefining luxury ocean travel – where discovery, well-being, and a deep respect for the seas come together in harmony. We seek passionate professionals who share our vision of a more immersive, transformative way to discover the world\’s most inspiring destinations by sea. Are you ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at Explora Journeys, where an ocean of opportunities awaits. Your journey to the Ocean State of Mind starts here.
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Executive Director, UK & Ireland employer: MSC Cruises
Contact Detail:
MSC Cruises Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director, UK & Ireland
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the luxury travel and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events, conferences, and seminars to connect with key players and decision-makers who can provide insights or referrals for the Executive Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Explora Journeys thoroughly. Understand their brand values, current market positioning, and recent initiatives. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations and demonstrate your alignment with their vision during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous successes in driving business development and strategic partnerships. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to enhance brand visibility and achieve revenue targets, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and team management skills. Be ready to share how you've inspired and developed talent in past roles, as this is essential for fostering a high-performance culture at Explora Journeys.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director, UK & Ireland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in the luxury travel, cruise, or hospitality industries. Emphasise leadership roles and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive business growth and manage teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for luxury travel and your understanding of the market in the UK & Ireland. Mention specific strategies you would implement to enhance brand visibility and drive sales.
Highlight Key Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as strategic planning, relationship management, and data analysis. Provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in previous roles to achieve business objectives.
Showcase Your Network: If you have an established network within the travel industry, make sure to mention it. Highlight any significant partnerships or relationships that could benefit Explora Journeys in the UK & Ireland market.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSC Cruises
✨Research the Company and Industry
Before your interview, take the time to thoroughly research Explora Journeys and the luxury travel industry. Understand their brand values, recent developments, and competitors. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an Executive Director, strong leadership skills are crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, driven growth, or managed strategic initiatives. Highlight how you inspire and develop talent within your team, as this aligns with the company's focus on fostering a culture of excellence.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Given the role's emphasis on strategic direction and business development, be ready to discuss your approach to identifying new opportunities and forming high-value partnerships. Think about specific strategies you've implemented in the past and how they could apply to Explora Journeys' goals in the UK & Ireland market.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
The job requires driving data-informed decision-making. Be prepared to discuss how you've used key performance indicators in previous roles to support revenue growth. Bring examples of how you've analysed data to make strategic decisions that positively impacted your organisation's bottom line.
